第６２１堀：獣人美人刑事純情派 学生誘拐事件 猫 (Part1)
**Chapter 621: The Beastman Beauty Detective’s Pure Heart – Student Kidnapping Case: Cat**
**Side: Mikos**
Yesterday was a bit of a close call. I almost ended up completely estranged from Kagura.
Well, in the end, we managed to deepen our bond, and I got the "goods," so I’m satisfied.
Setting that aside, today we finally set out to investigate Onock.
"Today is the first day. We’ll gather information using the three-team structure we discussed yesterday. Tori will lead, and Kagura and Deryu will accompany her to the Viscount of Onock’s mansion to secure cooperation or permission for our investigation."
"Yes!"
As Yuki-san instructed, Kagura headed off to negotiate with the Viscount, taking Tori-san and Deryu-san with her. In terms of combat power, she’s well-protected by two of Yuki-sensei’s wives.
"Next, Riel will lead, with Mikos and Ria investigating the back alleys. There’s a lot of danger there, so don’t push yourselves."
"Yes!"
I answered along with them.
As someone who knows Onock, I’m tasked with gathering information about the town, specifically the seedier areas of the back alleys. So, I also have the luxury of being guarded by two of Yuki-sensei’s wives.
By the way, Riel-san is very friendly, and we hit it off immediately. Since she’s also a Shrine Maiden of the Spirits, it’s very reassuring, and having Ria-san with us is a huge help.
"Finally, Kaya will lead, with Solo and Eoid. You’ll be investigating the main streets. Just talk to people normally. Solo, you’ve worked there before, so you should be good at that. Please follow their lead."
"Yes!"
"The rest of you—Vilia, Dressa—you’re my guard. Amanda, you’ll be assisting Taizo-san’s class. Got it?"
"Yes!"
Since it’s the first day, we’re prioritizing combat strength in our formations, so there are few wives left at the academy.
Well, Taizo-sensei said today is just lectures and no experiments, so it should be fine.
With Taiki-sensei, Principal Popuri, and Eagil-sama there, the security is impeccable.
Oh, and Hiiro-chan is still sticking to Princess Stasia’s side. The Princess is in a good mood, so there are no complaints; I don’t think there’s a better guard than that.
"Of course, Steve and the others are providing backup from the shadows, so they can provide support if anything happens. If an emergency occurs, they are in charge of securing escape routes, so don’t try to act on your own—follow Steve and his team."
"We’re counting on you today, sir."
The little green man bowed his head.
This is General Steve, a member of the Goblin tribe and a subordinate of Yuki-sensei.
I’d heard that Goblins were weak and gentle, but this General Steve is apparently incredibly strong.
Riel-san and Ria-san said that even if they went all-out, they would definitely lose depending on the situation, so he must be monstrous.
But when we met yesterday, Yuki-sensei had forgotten about him and only remembered at the very last second. He didn’t act like an arrogant general at all; he was just as gentle and humorous as I’d heard.
"Alright, Steve, I’ll leave the rest to you."
"You got it. Everyone, come this way. We’ll be using the Gate."
"Gate?"
"What could that be?"
As Solo and I tilted our heads at the unfamiliar term, General Steve explained it politely.
"Ah, this is your first time using a Gate, isn't it? It’s a special technology Weed possesses. We set up a gate-like structure at one point, and another at the destination, allowing for instantaneous travel between them."
"Like a summoning?"
"That’s right. You can think of it that way."
"That’s amazing!! Weed has technology like that?!"
Solo was full of praise, but hearing that, I broke out in a cold sweat. I finally understood the desperation with which Princess Carrie and Kagura had been trying to appease Yuki-sensei and his group.
Because it meant they could invade at any time. The moment Baide was seized, it was synonymous with Weed securing an invasion base in Haiden.
Other students had said while we were detained in Baide that we could just endure it since there would be no reinforcements or supplies, but that was never a possibility.
Of course they’d be desperate. There’s no way to compete against an opponent with this kind of technology. And to think reinforcements could arrive instantly.
We couldn't even stand against Yuki-sensei’s group, so fighting Weed’s main force was just ridiculous. It was a suicide wish.
And when we stepped through the Gate and saw the town of Onock before our eyes, the tiny shred of doubt I had—that such technology couldn't possibly exist—was completely shattered.
...I truly realized that we stood no chance at all.
I felt that we had to restrain the idiot nobles of Haiden at all costs. At the same time, I felt a sense of despair, knowing the most I could do was tell my father, the Baron, not to be rude to Yuki-sensei. I felt a renewed respect for Kagura, who, as a Duke’s daughter, bore the heavy responsibility of protecting her country.
"...Kagura, I’m sorry. I finally understand why you felt like you wanted to die."
"...Right? When I saw this technology, I thought, 'Ah, it’s over.'"
I thought so too.
They didn't just summon the Prince Consort of Weed; they brought his wives and children, too.
Normally, this would be a cause for war.
If it were me, I might have already died from the sheer terror of it.
I don’t have the confidence to run around trying to save a country from destruction like Kagura does.
Kagura really is amazing.
"Well then, we’ll be moving to support from the rear, so I’ll leave the rest to you all."
General Steve, who had escorted us to the front of Onock, said that and suddenly vanished before our eyes.
He didn't walk away; he literally disappeared.
"Oh, don't worry, they’re still right in front of you, just invisible. The other Goblins are there too."
I see. So they’re using some kind of invisibility magic.
I didn't know such magic existed, but this is also an incredible technology. I mean, with this, couldn't you assassinate anyone you wanted?
...It just reinforced my realization that you cannot pick a fight with Weed.
If they got serious, they wouldn't just crush us with an army; they could take the heads of all the royalty and nobility in Haiden in a single night and have them lined up on the castle gates by morning. Just imagining it gives me the chills.
And with that, Haiden would collapse. Organized resistance would be impossible.
I have to work as hard as Kagura to make sure that stupid future doesn't come to pass.
In that sense, I’m really glad I managed to become friends with Yuki-sensei and the others.
While I was thinking about all this, we arrived at the gates of Onock.
It was past morning and nearing noon, but there were many people lined up in front of the gate.
It’s a town with a lot of traffic. That just goes to show how prosperous it is.
"Well then, we’ll get in line."
Saying that, Solo and the others joined the queue to enter the town.
Since I’m visiting as a commoner this time, I joined the line too.
As for Kagura and her group, since they were visiting as nobles...
"Everyone, we’ll go ahead to speak with the Viscount of Onock. Please take care of things in town. Mikos, Solo, make sure you listen to Riel and Kaya. And please guide them properly."
"Yeah, I know."
"Yes, leave it to us."
As Solo and I answered, they nodded and headed toward the entrance for nobles, entering the town ahead of us.
As we watched them go, Riel-san suddenly spoke up.
"You know, Kagura is really serious, isn't she?"
"...Yeah, serious. She looks like the type who has never really had time to play."
"I think Kaya is right. Kagura is always like that; she must have a lot of pressure regarding her position."
Just as Kaya-san and Ria-san said, whenever she wasn't chatting with us, she was always like that.
I thought it was natural for a noble, but after seeing the harsh nature of her work just now, I realized how painful it is to have no friends. You end up like that if you don't have any relief.
No, even with relief, this situation is enough to make anyone tremble.
"I thought she was similar to Tori-san..."
"Hmm. Tori and Kagura? No, I don't think so..."
"...I understand what Eoid is saying. Tori is just as serious about her work as Kagura, but fundamentally, she’s like us and Yuki—she laughs properly. That’s surely the difference."